Pride, part 1

Several weeks ago, I was playing that drawing game on my iPad.  It is similar to Pictionary and you play with another person online.  Between the two of us, we were on a winning streak into the 40’s.  In spite of my serious lack of artistic ability, I discovered the joy of racking up points.  In fact, I had become pretty prideful about how good I was at drawing so many of the words.  I had even begun to secretly congratulate myself after every turn.  The computer beeped and I clicked on the appropriate icon to play the game once again.  I very cleverly sketched a fabulous outline of the Empire State Building with a stick figure King Kong at the top.  I included the helicopter and the beautiful young maiden that needed to be rescued.  Quite pleased with myself, I hurried to send the drawing to my friend.  As soon as I hit the send key to my shock and horror, I discovered my word was not King Kong, but Hong Kong.  Oh the humiliation that flooded my mind.

This sad but true story made me laugh out loud at myself and taught me some much needed lessons.  Lessons, I must continue to learn again and again.  You see what I have discovered about myself is that I have a huge spiritual issue with pride.  I’m telling you, it creeps in at every opportunity and if I’m not paying attention I end up smack in the middle of a train wreck every single time.  I bet you do, too. 

So, what’s a girl to do?  I asked God that very thing and He oh, so gently pointed a few things out to me from His Word.  The following is what I learned:

1. Pride is offensive to God.   
2. Pride takes many forms.
3. Pride has consequences.

Starting with how pride is offensive to God, we must understand who God is.  God is, well God.  There is none like Him.  He is the Alpha and Omega; He is Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent. He is Creator of all and by His Word, all things hold together.  He is Light, He is Life, and He is Love.  He is perfect and He is Holy.  He is righteous and He is just.  He is my Healer, my Redeemer and my Savior.  There is NONE like the Most High God, Almighty.  Pride says, “I know more than God.”  He alone deserves the honor and in pride, we take what belongs to Him

I asked God to show me something special and immediately He caused me to find Psalm 10:4, “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”  I wondered if this verse was one of the reasons that pride was detestable to the Lord.  Pride keeps us from seeking the Lord.  Wow, didn’t see that one coming.  When I have pride I not only say I know more than God, I also say there is no room for God. 

Yup… time for some much needed prayer.  I have much to confess.  We’ll talk about the other two things I learned next time.